Elective Inductions in Women with Histories of Fast Labor Prove for Quicker Deliveries

SAN DIEGO, Cali., May 2, 2012– Women with histories of fast labor who elect inductions have faster delivery times, delivering their previous pregnancies in about half the time. For women with such histories, an elective induction may not be warranted, avoiding cost and morbidity risk, according to researchers at Summa Health System in Akron, Ohio.

“We believe that women with histories of fast labors should be properly educated about elective inductions and the costs and risks associated with the procedure,” said OB Informatics Administrator Tiffany H. Kenny, RN, of Summa Health System. “Though a shorter labor duration may draw women to elective inductions, those in labor with previous fast deliveries may want to consider the potential risks before inducing.”

Researchers looked at women who underwent elective inductions from January 2005 to June 2011. Two indications, including “fast” and “psychosocial,” served as the controls.

The research titled “Induction of Labor in Women with a History of Fast Labor,” was selected for a poster presentation at the 60th Annual Clinical Meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in San Diego from May 5 to 9. Bradford W. Fenton, M.D., Ph.D., Erica L. Melrose, D.O., and Tiffany H. Kenny, RN, are the authors.

The poster will be on display from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on May 8 in Exhibit Hall H of the San Diego Convention Center at station 54. A representative from Summa will be available to answer questions or interviews can be arranged before, after or during the conference with the authors.

About Summa Health System
Summa Health System is one of the largest integrated healthcare delivery systems in Ohio. Encompassing a network of hospitals, community health centers, a health plan, a physician-hospital organization, a multi-specialty physician organization, research and multiple foundations, Summa is nationally renowned for excellence in patient care and for exceptional approaches to healthcare delivery. Summa's clinical services are consistently recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (Magnet status), U.S. News and World Report, Thomson Reuters and The Leapfrog Group. Summa also is a founding partner of the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron. For more information, visit www.summahealth.org or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/summahealth and Twitter at www.twitter.com/summahealth.